CHESTERFIELD (MyKeeneNow) – A serious ATV accident on private property Saturday left a minor injured.

The crash occurred around 3:50 p.m., according to a news release, off Suverino Road when the young driver lost control of the vehicle after the front right tire got stuck in uneven terrain traveling down a rocky hill.

A passenger on the ATV, 47-year-old Herbert Smith of Swanzey, was thrown from the vehicle during the rollover. The ATV then landed on the minor, whose injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Smith dialed 911 and Chesterfield Police, Keene Ambulance, and a landowner familiar with the area worked together to find the injured youth. Keene Ambulance transported the minor to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene for treatment, the release said.

Officials from NH Fish and Game, alongside Chesterfield Police, are currently investigating the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that lack of experience and absence of prior safety training were contributing factors. Authorities also noted that the minor was not wearing a helmet during the crash.

In light of the incident, NH Fish and Game is urging riders to prioritize safety and ensure they have the proper training. New Hampshire law requires ATV operators to hold either a driver’s license or an OHRV rider safety card.